Hot, humid dog days of summer finally arrive

After warming into the mid-80s away from Lake Michigan Monday, the remainder of the
work week may well see a series of days hitting 90 degrees or higher.
Readings of more than 90 degrees in the northern and central Plains are poised to cross
the Mississippi River, riding strong west to southwest winds Tuesday. With the jet
stream forecast to remain along the U.S.-Canadian border, Tuesday through Friday may
be the first time in nearly a year that Chicago will experience four consecutive days of
90 degrees or higher. The last time this occurred was July 31 through Aug. 3 of last
year.
So far this year, the official observation site at O'Hare International Airport has recorded
only a single day with a 90-degree high, 91 degrees on June 12. Last year by this time,
Chicago had experienced 10 90-degree days.
RAINS MAY HOLD OFF UNTIL WEEKEND
So far this month O'Hare has received 2.05 inches of rain, more than half the monthly
normal 3.51 inches. Unless thunderstorms drift south out of Wisconsin Wednesday
night, the next best chance of rain will be late Friday and Saturday in advance of a cold
front. Because this system is expected to be slow moving, downpours of an inch or
more may be possible.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist